Forum Discussion

AikenRacer's avatar
AikenRacer
Explorer
Dec 28, 2013

Busted leveling jack and stuck!

Pulled into campground in Charleston, SC yesterday. Went to level the motorhome (42' tag). While doing so the mh jerked and the rear end slid. Went out and saw the driver side rear jack (Lippert) lying on the ground and all the fluid in the dirt. The passenger side rear jack is bent outward so that the jack is sticking between the tag and drive axle. Not worried about how it happened but just worried about how to get home. Called the local CW and they cant even look at it until Wed and then they would have to order parts. No other service tech in this area would answer phone or return calls. Tried to retract jacks. Front two do not retract all the way. and the remaining rear sticking out at at 45 degree angle between the axles. Question is: Can I manually retract the front two and maybe the rear? Are the fluid resevoirs independent? All I want to do is get the mh home (3 hours away) on Friday. Any suggestions or ideas? Thanks!
Class A
  • Tntman's avatar
    Tntman
    Explorer
    Dec 29, 2013
    I think if you talk to anyone involved with air bags, they would tell you it is not advisable to lift ANY wheel off the ground. Even if you have done it several times, it does put a strain on the air bag.
    MY OPINION, NOT MEANT TO RUFFLE ANY FEATHERS.
  • bluwtr49's avatar
    bluwtr49
    Explorer II
    Dec 28, 2013
    Is the jack interfering the tires?? Also, is it possible to drive it with the tag retracted for a short distance.

    Thinking possibly pull up the tag and use brute force to push the jack clear of the drive wheel. Donno if it's possible but for a 3 hour drive I would look at a lot more options than being 1,000 mile from home.
  • jhilley's avatar
    jhilley
    Explorer
    Dec 28, 2013
    Good that Lippert came through with the right solution. It sounds like the one jack broke some how. Either the jack itself or where it mounted to the frame.
  • AikenRacer's avatar
    AikenRacer
    Explorer
    Dec 28, 2013
    Well the site was nearly level...??...anyway this is what I did. I pulled the pad off of the jack on the passenger side so it would not hit the tire during retraction. I capped off the lines on the jack housing that fell apart on the rear drivers side, refilled the hydralic resevoir,reset the control panel and hit the retract button. All successfully retracted so now I can at least get home when ready. Thanks for the comments !!
  • wa8yxm's avatar
    wa8yxm
    Explorer III
    Dec 28, 2013
    There is a rule I tell people about.

    When leveling, You may lift ONE front wheel off the ground,,, never both, and never a rear wheel... Sounds like you lifted both rear off the ground and the rig side slipped.

    Why is this.. With one front wheel on the ground the rig can not move side to side

    But with both off it can, and you know what happens next

    Or with both rear wheels off (What you seem to have done)

    With one rear wheel off the ground it cam move forward and back (Drive shaft parking brake) with the same result.
  • AikenRacer's avatar
    AikenRacer
    Explorer
    Dec 28, 2013
    Thanks, I will try the scissors jack. Also, I called Lippert and they told me to unbolt the jack from the frame, leaving in one bolt, then push the jack into a horizontal position and rebolt. Seems reasonable. Good to have a few options. Also no mechanics would return my calls, seems no one is working in this area during the holidays. Any more comments or suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks a bunch!!
  • Tucker704's avatar
    Tucker704
    Explorer
    Dec 28, 2013
    Contact Palmetto RV. They are located in Mt Pleasant, SC, and have a very good mobile service. http://www.palmettorv.com/
  • eHoefler's avatar
    eHoefler
    Explorer II
    Dec 28, 2013
    Check the reservoir level, refill it as needed. You are/will lose a lot of fluid. Try contacting a mobile truck mechanic, they should be familiar with hydraulics and be able to at least get you on the road. I wouldn't wait on camping world, they don't have the education or the experience in trying to fix anything. Just because they can half way install them, doesn't mean they can diagnose or fix it!
  • rgatijnet1's avatar
    rgatijnet1
    Explorer III
    Dec 28, 2013
    Try using a bottle or scissors jack to push your leveling jacks up in to the retracted position. Then try using the jack to push your bent leveling jack out of the way. You may have to tie the bent leveling jack up to the frame to keep it from dropping if it has come loose from the mounts.

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